The Bulls picked up their third consecutive win when they beat the Leopards 28-20 in Rustenberg.

It looked like the Bulls were set for a troublesome season after they suffered three defeats in their opening four fixtures to the Sharks (35-16), WP (35-7) and the Lions (36-27). With the Currie Cup Premier Division being cut to six teams next year, this increased the pressure as they found themselves at the bottom of the log. However, Pine Pienaar’s men have gathered much needed momentum, winning their last two fixtures and picking up a win against the Leopards. They had to work hard to stay ahead in the first stanza, but the gained the ascendancy in the second half to seal a scrappy win.

It was a kicking contest in the opening 40, with flyhalf Louis Fouche kicking his team into a 9-3 lead after slotting three penalties. Fullback George Tossel was on target for the hosts, who should’ve been level at the break as on-loan flyhalf Wesley Dunlop missed his first two attempts.

The Bulls then dominated the second half, despite the Leopards grabbing a try seconds after the restart. Flanker Warwick Tecklenburg stretched the Bulls’ lead before Leopards lock Brendan Snyman was harshly yellow carded for a high tackle. The Bulls rushed in two more tries with their one-man advantage as No 8 CJ Stander and prop Werner Kruger crashed over.

The visitors pursued a fourth try for a valuable bonus point and had the opportunities to do so, but the Leopards’ defence held up. The latter also grabbed two tries against the run of play through centres Jovan Bowles and Joubert Engelbrecht. While the Bulls will be disappointed that they didn’t achieve maximum points against the Leopards, the win does put them back into semi-final contention.